1.Pharmacodynamic Substances and Mechanisms of Xinglou Chengqi Tang in Treating Post-stroke Complications: A Review
Yujin ZHANG ; Xiangzhuo LIU ; Zhouyang CHEN ; Zihao SONG ; Xinyi LIU ; Yizhi YAN ; Chaoya LI ; Yingyan FANG ; Shasha YANG ; Xueqin CHENG ; Zhou XIE ; Sijie TAN ; Peng ZENG ; Yue ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):327-337
Stroke is the leading cause of death and disability among adults in China, and its common complications include digestive system abnormalities, cognitive impairment, depression, stroke-associated pneumonia, and hemiplegia. The combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine has great potential in treating post-stroke complications. Xinglou Chengqitang (XLCQT) is a representative prescription of alleviating the disease in the upper part by treating the lower part. It has definite therapeutic effect and high safety. Clinically, XLCQT is often used to treat stroke and its complications. However, the quantity and quality of clinical trials of XLCQT in treating post-stroke complications need to be improved. Additionally, since the basic research is weak, the material basis and multi-target mechanism for the efficacy of this prescription are unknown. This article reviews XLCQT in terms of the pharmacodynamic basis, medicinal properties, safety evaluation, and progress in clinical research and mechanisms in treating post-stroke complications. This article summarizes 22 key active ingredients of XLCQT in treating acute stroke complicated with syndrome of phlegm heat and fu-organ excess. Among these key active ingredients, resveratrol, kaempferol, luteolin, chrysoeriol, apigenin, (+)-catechin, and adenosine have good pharmacokinetic properties and high bioavailability. The mechanisms of XLCQT in treating post-stroke complications are complex, including inflammatory response, brain-gut axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, intestinal flora, neurotrophic factors, autophagy, oxidative stress, and free radical damage. This review helps to deeply understand the pharmacodynamic basis and mechanisms of XLCQT in treating post-stroke complications and provides a theoretical basis for the clinical application of XLCQT against post-stroke complications and the development of drugs.
2.Regulatory Pathways of Cell Apoptosis in Diabetic Kidney Disease and Intervention by Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Yunjie YANG ; Mingqian JIANG ; Chen QIU ; Yaqing RUAN ; Senlin CHEN ; Wenxin HUANG ; Hangbin ZHENG ; Yi WEI ; Pengfei LI ; Xueqin LIN ; Jing WU ; Shiwei RUAN ; Jianting WANG ; Yuliang QIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):294-306
Diabetic kidney disease(DKD) is a chronic kidney structural and functional disorder caused by diabetes. With the global prevalence of diabetes continuing to rise, DKD has gradually become a major cause of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease(ESRD), posing a serious threat to patients' quality of life and long-term health outcomes. Studies have shown that apoptosis plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of DKD, with its mechanisms involving abnormal activation of multiple signaling pathways such as Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB)/B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)/cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase(Caspase)-3, protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)/eukaryotic initiation factor 2α(eIF2α)/activating transcript factor 4(ATF4)/CCAAT enhancer-binding protein homologous protein(CHOP), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β), Janus kinase 2(JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) and silent information regulator 1(SIRT1)/tumor suppressor protein 53(p53), thereby accelerating renal pathological damage in DKD. Extensive evidence-based medical studies have confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), leveraging its unique therapeutic advantages of multi-target, multi-component and multi-pathway approaches, has demonstrated remarkable efficacy and favorable safety profiles in treating DKD. Recent studies have demonstrated that active components of TCM can specifically target and modulate key effectors in apoptotic signaling pathways. Meanwhile, traditional compound formulations exert synergistic effects through multiple approaches such as replenishing deficiency and activating blood circulation, detoxifying and dredging collaterals, tonifying kidney essence, and removing stasis and purging turbidity, thereby comprehensively regulating critical pathological processes including endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial apoptosis pathways. This combined therapeutic approach of molecular targeting and holistic regulation provides novel strategies for delaying the progression of DKD. Based on this, this paper provides an in-depth analysis of key apoptotic signaling pathways and their regulatory mechanisms, while systematically summarizing recent research advances regarding the therapeutic effects of TCM active components, compound formulations, and proprietary Chinese medicines on DKD through modulation of these pathways, with particular emphasis on their underlying molecular mechanisms. These findings not only elucidate the modern scientific connotation and theoretical basis of TCM in treating DKD but also establish a solid theoretical and practical foundation for promoting the wider clinical application and further research of TCM in the field of DKD treatment.
3.Research Progress on Application of Cerebrospinal Fluid Liquid Biopsy in Brain Metastasis from Lung Cancer
Yidie WANG ; Jie HUANG ; Xueqin CHEN
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2026;53(7):572-576
Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors. Brain metastasis, especially meningeal metastasis, is a fatal complication of lung cancer. The sensitivity of traditional diagnostic methods for this disease is limited. As a new technology, cerebrospinal fluid liquid biopsy can noninvasively and dynamically detect the molecular characteristics of intracranial tumors. Cerebrospinal fluid directly contacts the central nervous system lesions. It contains more unique and representative tumor-derived molecular information compared with those obtained from other body fluids such as blood for lung cancer meningeal metastasis, thus remarkably improving the diagnosis and personalized treatment of lung cancer meningeal metastasis. This work reviews the research progress on cerebrospinal fluid liquid biopsy in lung cancer brain metastasis and explores its value in guiding targeted therapy, delineating drug resistance, and evaluating prognostic progression to provide new directions for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer brain metastasis.
4.Effect and Mechanisms of Chinese Medicine and Its Active Ingredients in Enhancing Antibacterial Activities of Antibiotics: A Review
Ling CHEN ; Xueqin JIANG ; Tao YUAN ; Sufang KUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):305-313
With the increasing severity of bacterial antibiotic resistance, finding new ways to overcome this global challenge has become an urgent task. Chinese medicine, with abundant resources, offers potential for discovering diverse bioactive ingredients to enhance antibiotic efficacy and alleviate the crisis of bacterial antibiotic resistance. This review summarizes bacterial resistance mechanisms, prevention strategies, and the roles and mechanisms of Chinese medicine and its active ingredients in enhancing the efficacy of existing antibiotics. Two major resistance mechanisms—bacterial obstruction of antibiotic uptake and weakening of intracellular antibiotic activity—are introduced, with corresponding prevention and control strategies outlined. Based on the regulatory effects of active ingredients from Chinese medicine on bacteria, their mechanisms for enhancing antibiotic efficacy are categorized into two types, including improving the bacterial uptake of antibiotics and reducing the bacterial resistance to antibiotics. The former mainly enhances extracellular antibiotic uptake by regulating membrane permeability, biofilm formation, and metabolic pathways. The latter weakens intracellular antibiotic resistance by inhibiting efflux pumps and bacterial resistance targets. Furthermore, compound formulas of Chinese medicine, characterized by multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway interventions, exert similar antimicrobial effects and mechanisms with active ingredients, offering rich resources for developing antibiotic-enhancing applications. Finally, the review highlights the challenges such as insufficient structural research on active ingredients and potential druggability issues in their application for antibiotic enhancement. This will provide insights for advancing the research on Chinese active ingredients in antibiotic therapy and offers novel strategies to combat bacterial antibiotic resistance.
5.Effect and Mechanisms of Chinese Medicine and Its Active Ingredients in Enhancing Antibacterial Activities of Antibiotics: A Review
Ling CHEN ; Xueqin JIANG ; Tao YUAN ; Sufang KUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):305-313
With the increasing severity of bacterial antibiotic resistance, finding new ways to overcome this global challenge has become an urgent task. Chinese medicine, with abundant resources, offers potential for discovering diverse bioactive ingredients to enhance antibiotic efficacy and alleviate the crisis of bacterial antibiotic resistance. This review summarizes bacterial resistance mechanisms, prevention strategies, and the roles and mechanisms of Chinese medicine and its active ingredients in enhancing the efficacy of existing antibiotics. Two major resistance mechanisms—bacterial obstruction of antibiotic uptake and weakening of intracellular antibiotic activity—are introduced, with corresponding prevention and control strategies outlined. Based on the regulatory effects of active ingredients from Chinese medicine on bacteria, their mechanisms for enhancing antibiotic efficacy are categorized into two types, including improving the bacterial uptake of antibiotics and reducing the bacterial resistance to antibiotics. The former mainly enhances extracellular antibiotic uptake by regulating membrane permeability, biofilm formation, and metabolic pathways. The latter weakens intracellular antibiotic resistance by inhibiting efflux pumps and bacterial resistance targets. Furthermore, compound formulas of Chinese medicine, characterized by multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway interventions, exert similar antimicrobial effects and mechanisms with active ingredients, offering rich resources for developing antibiotic-enhancing applications. Finally, the review highlights the challenges such as insufficient structural research on active ingredients and potential druggability issues in their application for antibiotic enhancement. This will provide insights for advancing the research on Chinese active ingredients in antibiotic therapy and offers novel strategies to combat bacterial antibiotic resistance.
6.Efficacy comparison of anti-tumor necrosis factor-α and anti-interleukin-12/23 biologics as first-line treatment in Crohn′s disease
Bingqing YUAN ; Yanjun CHEN ; Ji LIU ; Lanxiang ZHU ; Xueqin PANG ; Weichang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Digestion 2025;45(6):384-392
Objective:To comparatively evaluate the efficacy of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and anti-interleukin (IL)-12/23 biologics as the first-line treatment in Crohn′s disease (CD).Methods:From January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2024, at the Department of Gastroenterology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, the clinical data of patients with CD treated with anti-TNF-α (infliximab or adalimumab) or anti-IL-12/23 biologics (ustekinumab) as first-line treatment were retrospectively collected. All the patients were followed up for 1 year since the initiation of first-line biologic treatment, with the follow-up concluding on December 31, 2024. The primary outcomes were the clinical efficacy (including clinical response rate and clinical remission rate) of anti-TNF-α or anti-IL-12/23 treatment at week 24 and week 48, and the endoscopic efficacy(including endoscopic response rate and endoscopic remission rate) at week 48. The clinical efficacy was assessed based on Crohn′s disease activity index(CDAI). The clinical response was defined as a reduction in CDAI by ≥ 70 from baseline (week 0), and clinical remission was defined as CDAI < 150. The endoscopic efficacy was assessed based on simple endoscopic score for Crohn′s disease (SES-CD), the endoscopic response was defined as a reduction in SES-CD by ≥50% from baseline (week 0), and endoscopic remission was defined as SES-CD ≤2. Chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test was used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 215 CD patients were enrolled, including 160 males and 55 females, with the age of (31.88±11.55) years old. Among them, 179 patients completed the clinical efficacy evaluation, 110 cases were treated with anti-TNF-α, 69 cases were treated with anti-IL-12/23. The clinical response rates of patients treated with anti-TNF-α and anti-IL-12/23 at week 24 were 95.5%(105/110) and 95.7%(66/69), respectively, and the clinical remission rates at week 24 were 86.4%(95/110) and 85.5%(59/69), respectively; the clinical response rates at week 48 were 95.5%(105/110) and 97.1%(67/69), respectively, and the clinical remission rates at week 48 were 89.1%(98/110) and 88.4%(61/69), respectively; and the differences were not statistically significant(Fisher′s exact test, χ2=0.03, Fisher′s exact test, χ2=0.02; P=1.000, 0.708, 0.872, and 0.887). A total of 76 patients completed endoscopic efficacy evaluation, among which 55 cases were treated with anti-TNF-α, and 21 cases were treated with anti-IL-12/23. The endoscopic response rates of patients treated with anti-TNF-α and anti-IL-12/23 were 74.5%(41/55) and 66.7%(14/21), respectively, and the endoscopic remission rates at week 48 were 49.1%(27/55) and 28.6%(6/21), respectively; and the differences were not statistically significant( χ2=0.47 and 2.60, P=0.492 and 0.107). Conclusion:Both anti-TNF-α and anti-IL-12/23 are effective as first-line biological therapies for CD, and there are no significant differences in both clinical and endoscopic efficacy between these 2 biologics.
7.Study on the role of double-balloon endoscopy and dual-energy CT enterography in evaluating the clinical features of Crohn′s disease
Ji LIU ; Yanjun CHEN ; Bingqing YUAN ; Yue TENG ; Weichang CHEN ; Lanxiang ZHU ; Xueqin PANG ; Yaqian LU ; Fujuan LUAN
Chinese Journal of Digestion 2025;45(3):182-188
Objective:To compare the role of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) and dual-energy CT enterography (DCTE) in evaluating the clinical characteristics of Crohn′s disease (CD).Methods:From July 1, 2016 to November 1, 2023, 72 patients with CD who underwent both DBE and DCTE (with an interval of less than 3 months) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were enrolled in this retropective study. Among them, 4 patients underwent both DBE and DCTE twice (a total of 76 cases). The data of DBE and DCTE in the diagnosis of 76 CD cases were analyzed, including the diagnostic rate of CD, the consistency of the 2 methods in detecting the lesion location (ileocecal, colonic, ileocolonic, and upper gastrointestinal tract involvement), and the detection rates of stenosis, ulcer and the location, long ulcer (long-diameter≥2 cm), and fistula. Kappa test was performed for the consistency analysis, and Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.Results:The diagnostic rate of CD by DBE was higher than that by DCTE (80.3% (61/76) vs. 65.8% (50/76)), and the diagnostic rate of combination of the 2 methods (89.5% (68/76)) was higher than that by DCTE alone, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=4.04 and 12.28, P=0.044 and <0.001). The result of Kappa consistency test showed that the consistency of CD lesion location detected by DBE and DCTE was poor (Kappa value=0.29, t=3.17, P=0.002). The detection rate of stenosis by DBE was higher than that by DCTE (46.1% (35/76) vs. 13.2% (10/76)), the detection rate of stenosis by combination of the 2 methods (52.6% (40/76)) was higher than that by DCTE alone, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=19.73 and 26.82, both P<0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in the detection rates of fistula among DBE, DCTE, and the combination of the 2 methods (3.9%(3/76), 2.6% (2/76), 5.3% (4/76); all P>0.05). The detection rate of ulcer by DBE was higher than that by DCTE(73.7% (56/76) vs. 7.9% (6/76)), the detection rate of ulcer by combination of the 2 methods (76.3%(58/56)) was higher than that by DCTE alone, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=68.10 and 72.98, both P<0.001). The detection rates of long ulcer and non-terminal ileum ulcer by DBE were both 17.9% (10/56). All the 6 cases with ulcer detected by DCTE were located in the terminal ileum, and no long ulcers were observed. Conclusions:In the diagnosis of CD, as well as in the detection of stenosis and ulcer, DBE and the combination of DBE and DCTE have more advantages over DCTE alone. The consistency between DBE and DCTE in identifying the location of lesion is poor. DBE has advantages in detecting long ulcer and non-terminal ileum ulcer.
8.Shuangshu Decoction inhibits growth of gastric cancer cell xenografts by promoting cell ferroptosis via the P53/SLC7A11/GPX4 axis.
Xinyuan CHEN ; Chengting WU ; Ruidi LI ; Xueqin PAN ; Yaodan ZHANG ; Junyu TAO ; Caizhi LIN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(7):1363-1371
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the mechanism of Shuangshu Decoction (SSD) for inhibiting growth of gastric cancer xenografts in nude mice.
METHODS:
Network pharmacology analysis was conducted to identify the common targets of SSD and gastric cancer cell ferroptosis, and bioinformatics analysis and molecular docking were used to validate the core targets. In the cell experiment, AGS cells were treated with SSD-medicated serum, Fer-1 (a ferroptosis inhibitor), or both, and the changes in cell viability, ferroptosis markers (ROS, Fe2+ and GSH), expressions of P53, SLC7A11 and GPX4, and mitochondrial morphology were examined. In a nude mouse model bearing gastric cancer xenografts, the effects of gavage with SSD, intraperitoneal injection of Fer-1, or their combination on tumor volume/weight, histopathology, and expressions of P53, SLC7A11 and GPX4 levels were evaluated.
RESULTS:
The active components in SSD (quercetin and wogonin) showed strong binding affinities to P53. In AGS cells, SSD treatment dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation, increased ROS and Fe2+ levels, upregulated P53 expression, and downregulated the expressions of SLC7A11 and GPX4, but these effects were effectively attenuated by Fer-1 treatment. SSD also induced mitochondrial shrinkage and increased the membrane density, which were alleviated by Fer-1. In the tumor-bearing mouse models, gavage with SSD significantly reduced tumor size and weight, caused tumor cell necrosis, upregulated P53 and downregulated SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression in the tumor tissue, and these effects were obviously mitigated by Fer-1 treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
SSD inhibits gastric cancer growth in nude mice by inducing cell ferroptosis via the P53/SLC7A11/GPX4 axis.
Ferroptosis/drug effects*
;
Animals
;
Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism*
;
Mice, Nude
;
Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Humans
;
Amino Acid Transport System y+/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
9.Clinical application,common faults and maintenance of passive training system for hand function
Changying ZHAO ; Lianwei WANG ; Dandan ZHANG ; Minyi DENG ; Aiyi CHEN ; Xueqin WANG
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(10):167-171
This paper elaborated the structural principles,structures and working principles of the A5 type passive training system for hand function through discussed the clinical application of passive training system for hand function in the rehabilitation of patients with stroke.It analyzed a series of occurring common faults during system operation,such as system errors caused by missing components,improper sensitivity settings for spasticity,abnormal connections for equipment,motor failures,jam and pause of robotic hand,and faults of lifting table,and conducted fault analysis for them.After that,this paper proposed corresponding handling strategies and solutions for faults,which included software configuration,calibration and detection of robotic hand sensors,repair of connection fault,and regular maintenance and replacement of system's components.It provided theoretical basis for the maintenance and optimization of the passive training system for hand function.Thus,it can rapid remove troubles,and reduce the equipment's failure rate of passive training system for hand function,and improve the equipment's normal utilization rate,and ensure favorable performance of equipment in long-term use.
10.Investigation on the current status of health insurance CHS-DRG/DIP performance evaluation of hospitals in China
Yutong WANG ; Xiaokun LIU ; Xueqin SUN ; Wei ZHANG ; Wenting ZHENG ; Chen XIE ; Rui DONG ; Weiguo ZHU ; Ding HAN
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2025;41(1):55-62
Objective:To investigate the current status of implementing medical insurance performance evaluation in the hospitals of China under the background of China Healthcare Security Diagnosis Related Groups (CHS-DRG) and Diagnosis-Intervention Packet (DIP) payment reform, explore the perspectives and recommendations of key department leaders (e.g., health insurance, medical affairs, pricing, and performance evaluation departments) regarding health insurance performance evaluation, analyze the influencing factors in its implementation, so as to provide references for hospitals to develop and refine health insurance performance evaluation strategies.Methods:A questionnaire was designed and distributed to hospitals across 31 provincial-level administrative regions in China from December 1 to 31, 2023. The survey targeted secondary and tertiary general or specialized hospitals. The main responsible persons from four functional departments, including medical insurance, healthcare, pricing, and performance, were invited to participate in the survey. Descriptive analysis was conducted on the questionnaire data, and the chi-square test was used for differential analysis of unordered categorical variables, while the Wilcoxon rank sum test was used for differential analysis of ordered categorical variables.Results:A total of 761 valid questionnaires were collected. Most respondents were health insurance department leaders (420, 55.19%). Among them, 741 respondents reported that their hospitals used CHS-DRG or DIP payment, with 258 indicating that their hospitals had already developed and implemented health insurance performance evaluation plans. A majority (685, 90.01%) expressed support for such initiatives. Influencing factor analysis revealed that hospital type, level, scope of health insurance management departments, and payment methods might impact the implementation of health insurance performance evaluation ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Few hospitals have currently adopted health insurance performance evaluation, underscoring the urgency to establish a scientific and reasonable evaluation plan as a robust tool for internal hospital management.

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